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Duluthian
senior member (51)senior membersenior member
  
06/13/2017 07:16AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm in the market for a new paddle and am curious where people buy their paddles? I already have a nice one from Bending Branches so am looking for something different. I'd like a high quality paddle, but I'd have to put my limit around $150.

What's your favorite paddle (bent or straight shaft)? Where did you buy it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I've looked everywhere in Duluth and could only find Bending Branches paddles or cheap/low quality paddles, so I'm thinking it might have to be an online purchase.
 
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06/13/2017 07:48AM  
I really like my Sanborn paddles. The Minnesota is my preferred paddle when I'm not using a carbon fiber. Sanborn will also give you a custom degree bent shaft, but their standard 14 degree works great.
 
ozarkpaddler
distinguished member(5163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/13/2017 08:24AM  
I've bought all my nice paddles online as there are no paddle shops nearby.
I've used some Zaveral Rec model paddles for years. We bought one "Blem" in 2003 and a second in 2004. Both still in use and I don't paddle benign, sandy, flatwater.

Second favorite is the Bending Branches Viper. Love it. Unfortunately, when I began kneeling exclusively, it was just too short. So, I gave it to my buddy's wife, and he now uses it every day he paddles that she doesn't. As a matter of fact, it's in his hands 90% of the time. It's about 15 years old and also has not been babied.






 
06/13/2017 10:13AM  
If your really interested in a mid premium $150-250 paddle,beg, borrow or rent some. To check for feel, size, style, before you spend.
Attractive construction and recommendations of personal favorites do not apply to everyone, with a variety of experience you may change your desires significantly. Attend some of the paddle nites, Check out paddling specific stores such as Rutabaga in Madison WI. The purchase is for you not somebody else opinion.

I sure lusted over Mitchel, Sandborn, Grey Owl, and many other makes. Saved up enough to purchase but still tried others first. My choice went to ZRE, not pretty, not good feeling in hand other than being light weight, and more expensive than I had planned, but now own several for different conditions. Ugly, soulless, stiff, expensive, cold piece of carbon fiber! But sure feels better than anything else after a long day paddling. Never thought I'd buy one, till I used a loaner and tried several sizes.

butthead
 
paddler1953
senior member (51)senior membersenior member
  
06/13/2017 10:41AM  
You might want to check out FoxWorx paddles. Here's the link to their site:
www.foxworxpaddle.com/

They make quality paddles at a reasonable price. You should be able to find something that will meet your needs.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 
mschi772
distinguished member(806)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/14/2017 04:47AM  
I'm planning to buy a pair of paddles from these guys. Winnebago Paddles
 
RainGearRight
distinguished member(1560)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/14/2017 06:54AM  
We bought a couple used Wenonah Carbon paddles from Piragis last spring. 120$ apiece and they had plenty to look through. Had a few scrapes but were in overall very good condition.
 
bunker3
member (32)member
  
06/14/2017 09:24AM  
Those with the experience, do you prefer wood or carbon fiber paddles?
 
jwb747
senior member (76)senior membersenior member
  
06/14/2017 12:25PM  
I've owned several Jim Snyder paddles back in my kayak/squirting days. In my experience there is not a better kayak paddle. I talked to him this week about building a couple paddles for BWCA. A bit expensive, but what isn't. I'm going to splurge on a couple and will keep this site posted.

http://rivrstyx.com/

Rivr Styx Paddles
 
06/14/2017 12:54PM  
ZRE Powersurge Iite. 8oz. Best money I ever spent on gear.
 
andym
distinguished member(5340)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/14/2017 02:53PM  
Standard line in our canoe, "is that a tail wind or a Zaveral?" They can not be beat for powering across a lake. I take a wood straight as a "spare" but use it for twisty creeks and rocky landings.

I also have one of the used Wenonah carbon fiber paddles from Piragis. It's a good deal and worth picking through their bin. I've seen a few in there with worse edge damage than I would want but many nice ones. And I mail ordered one and Steve found me a nice one in the middle of the winter. So, definitely a good, lower priced source. Still like my Zaveral better but they do cost more.
 
BnD
distinguished member(810)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/14/2017 07:26PM  
FWIW, we rented a Wenonah carbon paddle this year as a spare to try. My son's verdict......don't invest in carbon paddle companies. From the stern I had to make way too many corrective strokes simply because he couldn't move enough water per stroke to match my wood bent shaft BB paddle so it made it very difficult to Match strokes and track straight. For reference we've completed many long Quetico trips with BB bent shaft wood paddles and I rarely need corrective strokes to track any straight line. On the way out my son didn't use the carbon paddle and the tracking was dramatically improved. My .02
 
Moonpath
distinguished member (329)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/14/2017 08:54PM  
Unlike many on this board I prefer straight shaft paddles. I also prefer wood paddles for aesthetics. These are heavier but are very dependable. I like the BB expedition Plus for sheer durability. It goes on most of my trips. Places where I get my paddles include rutabaga, Piragis, and other canoe stores in the Midwest mainly. I have purchased only one paddle on-line,mainly because it is very hard to get the feel of a paddle without actually feeling and using it. I have taken my time in acquiring paddles over time and generally test them before purchase. Good luck. THere are a lot of great paddles out there, many of which have been mentioned on this thread. Personal preference is the key. Jerry G
 
06/14/2017 08:55PM  
quote BnD: "FWIW, we rented a Wenonah carbon paddle this year as a spare to try. My son's verdict......don't invest in carbon paddle companies. From the stern I had to make way too many corrective strokes simply because he couldn't move enough water per stroke to match my wood bent shaft BB paddle so it made it very difficult to Match strokes and track straight. For reference we've completed many long Quetico trips with BB bent shaft wood paddles and I rarely need corrective strokes to track any straight line. On the way out my son didn't use the carbon paddle and the tracking was dramatically improved. My .02"


This is not due to the material but probably due to a difference in blade surface area. For what it's worth most marathon paddlers prefer a smaller blade and a higher cadence; less stress on joints and tendons and higher efficiency, not to mention the efficiency gained by hoisting less weight through thousands of repetitions.
 
jrlatt
distinguished member (479)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/15/2017 12:02AM  
I agree that that there are a lot of nice paddles out there. When I was at the midwests spring expo I was googling over some Northstar northstar paddles. They have some nice looking paddles. Your paddle is such a personal thing. I really like the rock guard on the Bending Branches. I have a BB special that I love. A ZRE Carbon that is so light weight. I have a flat paddle that I bring as a back up and to fillet fish.
 
andym
distinguished member(5340)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/15/2017 12:17AM  
Well, Zaveral has been around since the early 1970s. They might just make it, even without your son's money. :)
 
jrlatt
distinguished member (479)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/15/2017 01:18AM  
quote bunker3: "Those with the experience, do you prefer wood or carbon fiber paddles?"


For me it is a toss up. I have been using my ZRE the last 3 or 4 yrs but I think it depends on your age and how you paddle. I like both. I have not tried the BB viper yet. That is one I would like to try.
 
ozarkpaddler
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06/15/2017 10:02AM  
quote bunker3: "Those with the experience, do you prefer wood or carbon fiber paddles?"


Depends. When I need to get moving faster I use my Zaveral. But when it's really hot and my hands are sweaty, wood is easier to grip.

I cannot imagine someone overpowering a bent shaft paddle unless the bent paddler's cadence and or effort was slower? Someone's first time with a different paddle and inexperience on how to use it is the likely cause? Did the person use it "Backwards?"

As for durability, how many people use a paddle 50-60 days a year on almost exclusively rocky waters with sometimes strong currents for almost 15 years without a problem with their paddle? I've broken a few wooden (one very nice one) on the same waters in a few years. Throw in having a friend shovel snow off his deck off with that Zaveral? One of my Zav's is "Gripless" because I wanted to replace it with a T-grip and never have gotten around to it. Not the paddles fault, none of them will stand up to a hack saw blade (LOL)!

That said, there are times when my Badger Sliver just "Feels" right and it will be in the truck when I head north next week!
 
06/15/2017 11:53AM  
I wish whiskey jack paddles was still a thing. I picked up a whiskey chaser years ago that has been holding up well. I guess they went down hill with quality when they increased capacity but early on they were solid paddles. One of my favorite paddles to use.

I have still not used a carbon fiber paddle but it's on my wish list.

I've had nice paddles from BB, Grey Owl, and Wenonah (which I'm pretty sure was a Grey Owl). I've also had lemons from the same company's that failed prematurely.

Hex
 
ozarkpaddler
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06/15/2017 12:18PM  
quote hexnymph: "I wish whiskey jack paddles was still a thing. I picked up a whiskey chaser years ago that has been holding up well. I guess they went down hill with quality when they increased capacity but early on they were solid paddles. One of my favorite paddles to use.
I have still not used a carbon fiber paddle but it's on my wish list.
I've had nice paddles from BB, Grey Owl, and Wenonah (which I'm pretty sure was a Grey Owl). I've also had lemons from the same company's that failed prematurely.
Hex"


They were nice. I had one and my buddy's son kept admiring it and I gave it to him about 5 years ago. Here's a pic of it.

 
06/15/2017 04:14PM  
quote butthead: "My choice went to ZRE, not pretty, not good feeling in hand other than being light weight, and more expensive than I had planned, but now own several for different conditions. Ugly, soulless, stiff, expensive, cold piece of carbon fiber! But sure feels better than anything else after a long day paddling. Never thought I'd buy one, till I used a loaner and tried several sizes.
butthead"

Butthead- that my me smile. I feel the same way.

I still use my BB wood straight shafts for a typical BWCA fishing trip with friends. But if I'm soloing and/or traveling long and hard, it's the ZRE or BB carbon.
 
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